Oru Sundari Vanthalaam
From Azhagi · 2002
- Lyricist
- Karunanithi
- Singers
- P. Unnikrishnan, Sadhana Sargam, Malgudi Subha
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Azhagi2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Oru sundari vanthalaam | A beautiful woman came, it seems, |
| Andha munthiri thopula! thopula! | In that cashew grove! grove! |
| Female | |
| Oru sundari vanthalaam | A beautiful woman came, it seems, |
| Andha munthiri thopula! thopula! | In that cashew grove! grove! |
| Oru sandham padichalaam | She sang a rhythmic tune, it seems, |
| Nalla andhiyil pookura poo pola | Like a flower blooming brightly in the twilight. |
| Female | |
| Sangeetham sathiram theriyadhu | She doesn't know the formal rules or science of music, |
| Aanalum paaduva! | Yet she sings! |
| Vaathiyar kedaiyathu | She has no music teacher, |
| Aanalum vaarthaigal poduva! | Yet she crafts words naturally! |
| Edutha edutha sruthi maaradhu | The pitch she hits never slips, |
| Andha thaalam velagadhu | And the rhythm never misses a beat. |
| Yarum solli tharama mottu | Like a flower bud that opens wide |
| Virikum malligai poo pola | Into a jasmine blossom without anyone teaching it. |
| Female | |
| Oru sundari vanthalaam | A beautiful woman came, it seems, |
| Andha munthiri thopula! thopula! | In that cashew grove! grove! |
| Oru sandham padichalaam | She sang a rhythmic tune, it seems, |
| Nalla andhiyil pookura poo pola | Like a flower blooming brightly in the twilight. |
| Female | |
| Haaa..haha haa..haa…aaa | Haaa..haha haa..haa…aaa |
| Nesam neranja manam pol | Like a heart filled with affection, |
| Vaasam veesum malar pol | Like a flower wafting fragrance, |
| Nadhi karaiyila porandhen | I was born on the river bank, |
| Indha ulagam marandhu | Forgetting this world. |
| Female | |
| Uthirnthu vilunthu nadhiyil | Falling down into the river, |
| Porandu porandu alaiyil | Rolling over and over in the waves, |
| Ilukkum dhisaiyil midhanthen | I floated in whichever direction it pulled me, |
| Adhu thaduka marandhu | Forgetting to resist it. |
| Female | |
| Oodum nadhi ellaam | Do all flowing rivers |
| Andha kadalil kalakuma! | Merge into that ocean! |
| Paadum isai kaatril | Doesn't singing music in the breeze |
| Sendru kalaka marukuma! | Go and merge without refusal! |
| Female | |
| Ellarkum edhirpaarpu | Expectations for everyone... |
| Ethanai.. ethaniyo? | How many, oh how many could there be? |
| Ennai pol thaniyaaga | Living alone like me, |
| Valvadhu ethanaiyo | How many such lives are there? |
| Female | |
| Oru sugam illathavar | Those who have no joy or comfort |
| Sorga kulanthaigalae… | Are children of heaven… |
| Female | |
| Oru sundari vanthalaam | A beautiful woman came, it seems, |
| Nalla andhiyil poothidum poo pola | Like a flower blooming brightly in the twilight, |
| Poo pandhu aduchalaam | She played with a flower ball, it seems, |
| Thulli thulli kuthikira meen pola | Like a fish leaping and jumping around! |
| Male | |
| Haa.a.aa..hahahah…aa..aa..hahaahaa… | Haa.a.aa..hahahah…aa..aa..hahaahaa… |
| Nandraga vaalndhaal | If you live prosperously, |
| Ellorin kangal thirumbum | Everyone's eyes will turn |
| Undhan meedhile! | Towards you! |
| Male | |
| Illadhu ponaal | If you have nothing left, |
| Solladha kadhaigal sollum | They will gossip untold tales |
| Thangal mozhiyilae | In their own harsh tongue. |
| Male | |
| Thannaiyae nondhu vazhthirundhal | If you live constantly blaming yourself, |
| Edhai than mudipaai enniduvai | What can you ever accomplish? Think about it. |
| Ellarkum kuraigal undu | Everyone has flaws and hardships, |
| Yekkam etharkku | Why long and yearn endlessly? |
| Male | |
| Thannaiyae thaalthi kondu | Demeaning yourself, |
| Thavithaai edharkku? | Why suffer like that? |
| Man meethu veesinalum | Even if thrown onto the dirt, |
| Pon maatru kuraiyuma? | Does the quality of gold ever decrease? |
| Male | |
| Theeyinal suttaalum | Even when scorched by fire, |
| Minni minni jolikum | It gleams and sparkles bright, |
| Thangam thangamadi | It is pure gold, my dear! |
| Male | |
| Oru sundari vanthalaam | A beautiful woman came, it seems, |
| Nalla anthiyil poothidum poo pola | Like a flower blooming brightly in the twilight, |
| Poo pandhu aduchalaam | She played with a flower ball, it seems, |
| Thulli thulli kuthikira meen pola | Like a fish leaping and jumping around! |
ஒரு சுந்தரி வந்தாளாம்
அந்த முந்திரி தோப்பில! தோப்பில!
ஒரு சுந்தரி வந்தாளாம்
அந்த முந்திரி தோப்பில! தோப்பில!
ஒரு சந்தம் படிச்சாளாம்
நல்ல அந்தியில் பூக்கிற பூ போல
A beautiful woman came, it seems,
In that cashew grove! grove!
சங்கீதம் சாத்திரம் தெரியாது
ஆனாலும் பாடுவா!
வாத்தியார் கிடையாது
ஆனாலும் வார்த்தைகள் போடுவா!
எடுத்தா எடுத்த ஸ்ருதி மாறாது
அந்த தாளம் விலகாது
யாரும் சொல்லித் தரமா மொட்டு
விரிக்கும் மல்லிகை பூ போல
A beautiful woman came, it seems,
In that cashew grove! grove!
She sang a rhythmic tune, it seems,
Like a flower blooming brightly in the twilight.
ஒரு சுந்தரி வந்தாளாம்
அந்த முந்திரி தோப்பில! தோப்பில!
ஒரு சந்தம் படிச்சாளாம்
நல்ல அந்தியில் பூக்கிற பூ
She doesn't know the formal rules or science of music,
Yet she sings!
She has no music teacher,
Yet she crafts words naturally!
The pitch she hits never slips,
And the rhythm never misses a beat.
Like a flower bud that opens wide
Into a jasmine blossom without anyone teaching it.
வசனம் :
.............................
A beautiful woman came, it seems,
In that cashew grove! grove!
She sang a rhythmic tune, it seems,
Like a flower blooming brightly in the twilight.
ஹா..ஆஅ..ஆ...ஆஅ....
நேசம் நெறஞ்ச மணம் போல்
வாசம் வீசும் மலர் போல்
நதி கரையில பொறந்தேன்
இந்த உலகம் மறந்து
Haaa..haha haa..haa…aaa
Like a heart filled with affection,
Like a flower wafting fragrance,
I was born on the river bank,
Forgetting this world.
உதிர்ந்து விழுந்த நதியில்
பொறண்டு பொறண்டு அலையில்
இழுக்கும் திசையில் மிதந்தேன்
அதை தடுக்க மறந்து
Falling down into the river,
Rolling over and over in the waves,
I floated in whichever direction it pulled me,
Forgetting to resist it.
ஓடும் நதி எல்லாம்
அந்த கடலில் கலக்குமா?
வாழும் இசை காற்றில்
சென்று கலக்க மறக்குமா!
Do all flowing rivers
Merge into that ocean!
Doesn't singing music in the breeze
Go and merge without refusal!
எல்லாருக்கும் எதிர்பார்ப்பு
எத்தனை? எத்தனையோ?
என்னை போல் தனியாக
வாழ்வது எத்தனையோ
ஒரு சோகம் இல்லாதவர்
சொர்க்க குழந்தைகளே!
Expectations for everyone...
How many, oh how many could there be?
Living alone like me,
How many such lives are there?
ஒரு சுந்தரி வந்தாளாம்
நல்ல அந்தியில் பூத்திடும் பூ போல
பூ பந்து அடிச்சாளாம்
துள்ளி துள்ளி குதிக்கிற மீன் போல
Those who have no joy or comfort
Are children of heaven…
ஹா..ஆஆ...ஆஅ...
நன்றாக வாழ்ந்தால்
எல்லோரின் கண்கள் திரும்பும்
உந்தன் மீதினிலே!
A beautiful woman came, it seems,
Like a flower blooming brightly in the twilight,
She played with a flower ball, it seems,
Like a fish leaping and jumping around!
இல்லாது போனால்
சொல்லாத கதைகள் சொல்லும்
தங்கள் மொழியிலே!
Haa.a.aa..hahahah…aa..aa..hahaahaa…
If you live prosperously,
Everyone's eyes will turn
Towards you!
தன்னையே நொந்து வாழந்திருந்தால்
எதை தான் முடிப்பாய் எண்ணிடுவாய்
If you have nothing left,
They will gossip untold tales
In their own harsh tongue.
எல்லாருக்கும் குறைகள் உண்டு
ஏக்கம் எதற்கு
தன்னையே தாழ்த்தி
கொண்டு தவித்தாய் எதற்கு?
If you live constantly blaming yourself,
What can you ever accomplish? Think about it.
Everyone has flaws and hardships,
Why long and yearn endlessly?
மண் மீது வீசினாலும்
பொன் மாற்று குறையுமா?
தீயினில் சுட்டாலும்
மின்னி மின்னி ஜொலிக்கும்
தங்கம் தங்கமடி
Demeaning yourself,
Why suffer like that?
Even if thrown onto the dirt,
Does the quality of gold ever decrease?
ஒரு சுந்தரி வந்தாளாம்
நல்ல அந்தியில் பூத்திடும் பூ போல
பூ பந்து அடிச்சாளாம்
துள்ளி துள்ளி குதிக்கிற மீன் போல
Even when scorched by fire,
It gleams and sparkles bright,
It is pure gold, my dear!
A beautiful woman came, it seems,
Like a flower blooming brightly in the twilight,
She played with a flower ball, it seems,
Like a fish leaping and jumping around!
Oru sundari vanthalaam
A beautiful woman came, it seems,
Andha munthiri thopula! thopula!
In that cashew grove! grove!
Oru sundari vanthalaam
A beautiful woman came, it seems,
Andha munthiri thopula! thopula!
In that cashew grove! grove!
Oru sandham padichalaam
She sang a rhythmic tune, it seems,
Nalla andhiyil pookura poo pola
Like a flower blooming brightly in the twilight.
Sangeetham sathiram theriyadhu
She doesn't know the formal rules or science of music,
Aanalum paaduva!
Yet she sings!
Vaathiyar kedaiyathu
She has no music teacher,
Aanalum vaarthaigal poduva!
Yet she crafts words naturally!
Edutha edutha sruthi maaradhu
The pitch she hits never slips,
Andha thaalam velagadhu
And the rhythm never misses a beat.
Yarum solli tharama mottu
Like a flower bud that opens wide
Virikum malligai poo pola
Into a jasmine blossom without anyone teaching it.
Oru sundari vanthalaam
A beautiful woman came, it seems,
Andha munthiri thopula! thopula!
In that cashew grove! grove!
Oru sandham padichalaam
She sang a rhythmic tune, it seems,
Nalla andhiyil pookura poo pola
Like a flower blooming brightly in the twilight.
Haaa..haha haa..haa…aaa
Haaa..haha haa..haa…aaa
Nesam neranja manam pol
Like a heart filled with affection,
Vaasam veesum malar pol
Like a flower wafting fragrance,
Nadhi karaiyila porandhen
I was born on the river bank,
Indha ulagam marandhu
Forgetting this world.
Uthirnthu vilunthu nadhiyil
Falling down into the river,
Porandu porandu alaiyil
Rolling over and over in the waves,
Ilukkum dhisaiyil midhanthen
I floated in whichever direction it pulled me,
Adhu thaduka marandhu
Forgetting to resist it.
Oodum nadhi ellaam
Do all flowing rivers
Andha kadalil kalakuma!
Merge into that ocean!
Paadum isai kaatril
Doesn't singing music in the breeze
Sendru kalaka marukuma!
Go and merge without refusal!
Ellarkum edhirpaarpu
Expectations for everyone...
Ethanai.. ethaniyo?
How many, oh how many could there be?
Ennai pol thaniyaaga
Living alone like me,
Valvadhu ethanaiyo
How many such lives are there?
Oru sugam illathavar
Those who have no joy or comfort
Sorga kulanthaigalae…
Are children of heaven…
Oru sundari vanthalaam
A beautiful woman came, it seems,
Nalla andhiyil poothidum poo pola
Like a flower blooming brightly in the twilight,
Poo pandhu aduchalaam
She played with a flower ball, it seems,
Thulli thulli kuthikira meen pola
Like a fish leaping and jumping around!
Haa.a.aa..hahahah…aa..aa..hahaahaa…
Haa.a.aa..hahahah…aa..aa..hahaahaa…
Nandraga vaalndhaal
If you live prosperously,
Ellorin kangal thirumbum
Everyone's eyes will turn
Undhan meedhile!
Towards you!
Illadhu ponaal
If you have nothing left,
Solladha kadhaigal sollum
They will gossip untold tales
Thangal mozhiyilae
In their own harsh tongue.
Thannaiyae nondhu vazhthirundhal
If you live constantly blaming yourself,
Edhai than mudipaai enniduvai
What can you ever accomplish? Think about it.
Ellarkum kuraigal undu
Everyone has flaws and hardships,
Yekkam etharkku
Why long and yearn endlessly?
Thannaiyae thaalthi kondu
Demeaning yourself,
Thavithaai edharkku?
Why suffer like that?
Man meethu veesinalum
Even if thrown onto the dirt,
Pon maatru kuraiyuma?
Does the quality of gold ever decrease?
Theeyinal suttaalum
Even when scorched by fire,
Minni minni jolikum
It gleams and sparkles bright,
Thangam thangamadi
It is pure gold, my dear!
Oru sundari vanthalaam
A beautiful woman came, it seems,
Nalla anthiyil poothidum poo pola
Like a flower blooming brightly in the twilight,
Poo pandhu aduchalaam
She played with a flower ball, it seems,
Thulli thulli kuthikira meen pola
Like a fish leaping and jumping around!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Oru Sundari Vanthalam' from the film Azhagi (2002) is a deeply evocative and philosophical folk composition that celebrates natural innocence, resilience, and inner human worth. The song opens by vividly depicting a carefree village girl whose music flows spontaneously without formal training—comparing her raw talent to a jasmine bud unfurling on its own at twilight. As the narrative progresses, it turns contemplative, comparing human life to a drifting river flowing helplessly toward the ocean, highlighting themes of loneliness, societal expectations, and quiet perseverance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Nalla andhiyil pookura poo pola”
Compares the natural emergence of a song or beauty to a flower blooming effortlessly during dusk.
Simile (Upamai)
“Thulli thulli kuthikira meen pola”
Compares playful and lively human antics to the playful splashing of a fish in water.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Man meethu veesinalum pon maatru kuraiyuma? / Theeyinal suttaalum minni minni jolikum thangam”
Uses gold as a metaphor for human dignity and character, proving that adversity and hardships (fire/dirt) only reveal true shine rather than diminish value.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Aanalum paaduva! / Aanalum vaarthaigal poduva!”
The lines end with similar sounding rhythmic terminations ('paaduva' / 'poduva').
Did you know?
Trivia
Directed by Thangar Bachan, 'Azhagi' is renowned for its nostalgic and grounded portrayals of rural Tamil Nadu. Composed by Maestro Ilayaraja, the song balances effortless folk melody with deep philosophical depth. The vocals by P. Unni Krishnan, Sadhana Sargam, and Malgudi Subha seamlessly blend playful rustic narrative storytelling with emotional sensitivity.
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